The first round of trade negotiations with Canada took place with officials discussing an increase in cooperation between both countries and the increase in Canadian aid in the area of private sector development. As reported in Listin Diario, Foreign Relations Minster Carlos Morales Troncoso and chief negotiator Juan Guiliani Cury explained that the FTA would attract foreign investments and agro-industrial companies. The first of the five rounds of negotiations took place between 10 and 14 December in Ottawa. The DR is looking for Canada to open up to Dominican free trade zones and officials feel that this would boost investment as well as increasing exports of agricultural products like tropical fruit and organic products. Guiliani says that Canada offers great opportunities for all Dominican fruit exporters and rum producers.

20 December 2007 - DR1 Daily News